From Glasgow to Detroit

Glasgow, once the 2nd city of empire.

Detroit , formerly the Motor City .

Glasgow had at is peak over 1 million citizens and was one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Today the population hovers around 600,000.

Detroit was a city designed for 2 million residents. Now under 900,000 reside there. It suffers 70 fires a night and is littered with empty lots.

Glasgow was a city that made its living ship-building. Now that industry is gone.

Detroit manufactured America's automobiles. And now that industry is gone.

Both cities had motorways rammed through them. Both have seen decay through planning and lack of planning. Both have high levels of deprivation.

But now the residents of Detroit have created an urban farming network that is creating an opportunity from decay. Is there a lesson in there for Glasgow and all those other cities that have seen a decline since the rise of neoliberalism in the 1970s?

Looking at Detroit , comparing and contrasting its experience with Glasgow , we will look at what has happened to a once prosperous city and see first hand how ordinary people have overcome official antagonism to their needs and created a vibrant system of farming. As the supermarkets deserted Detroit , the residents filled the gap. Does this point to a future that goes beyond corporate control?

Short film by Bob Hamilton about Glasgow 's community gardens: http://youtu.be/hfvsilO5KNQ